Mental Health Awareness Week 16th – 22nd May

Extended Diploma Art and Design Student Sasha Toonder is supporting a positive approach to mental health issues by promoting Mental Health Awareness Week  (May 16th – 22nd) amongst her fellow students. This national campaign aims to generate discussion about mental health difficulties and is organised by the Mental Health Foundation.

Sasha explains “StandUpSpeakOutMH is a new media campaign starting on Instagram for Mental Health Awareness Week 2016. It was started by The CLD Trust young people’s groups; The Wellbeing Ambassadors and The Strong Young Mind Champions.
It’s main focus is positivity; something good that has come out of experiencing mental health problems, or supporting someone with mental health problems. Finding the good that has come out of the bad.”

 HCA’s Student Union is helping Sasha to organise a Stand Up Speak Out event on Tuesday 17th May at College Road Campus between 12.30 and 1.30pm.  Students from all courses are invited along for tea and cake. Sasha has set up a life sized poleroid photshoot for students. Using these photographs or other favourite photos students can share their stories and coping tips on social media using the #thishelps and #HCAInspiringPositiveMentalHealth hashtags.

“We want people to send in their happy moments, success stories, positive experiences or what they’re thankful for, and a photo or image of their choice to go with” explains Sasha “The hope is that this campaign shows that things do get better, and it gives a boost to the people who need it.”

Use the hashtag #ThisHelps to share coping tips.